Cushion-cap for typewriter-keys



ferred formof cushion cap.

WILBER C. BELKNAP, OF NEW YORK, N'. Y.

CUSHION-CAP FOR TYPEWRITER-KEYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Application filed October 30, 1919. Serial No. 334,421.

T o all lwhom t may concern Be it known that I, WILBER C. BELKNAi, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of' New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Cushion! An object ofthe invention is to provide a cushion cap having a resilient or tension element which yields sufficiently but not excessively when the cushion cap is applied to a key to allow the cap to slip over the key readily, the resilient or tension element then acting to hold the cap securelyfon; the key. To this end, the present invention is a substantial improvement over certain well own cushion caps now in general use, and it simplicity and cheapness of construction and, as stated, with respect to the ease with which it can beapplied and removed from the typewriter keys.

In `the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a top plan viewpof a typewriter keyA provided with a cushion cap of lthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken centrallyof Fig. 1 on the line 3 3.

Fig. 4 is a detail in cross section of the cushion cap taken on the line. 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail in cross section of modified form of the cushion cap shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a further modication of the cushion cap shown in Fi 4' ig.7 is a detail view of the spring clip used in connection with the modi ed forms of cushion pad shown in.Figs.'5 and 6; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view plain View of the parts The improved cushion caps-maybe made in any size and shape'to fit the keys of any typewriter or 'other writing machine. As shown in the drawings, 1 represents the key bar, 2 a finger key of standard size and shape,'having the usual raised outeredge 3.

a cushion cap` is( a further improvement with respect to` n 5 have been of my pre- The cushion cap consists of an upper cushion portion 4, preferably made of rubber of any suitable thickness and resiliency to produce the desired cushion effect to the touch ofthe fingers of the operator.

The lower portion of the cap consists of a resilient web or diaphragm 5, having a slot 6 formedtherein to receive the key bar, the'part' being joined to this part 4 by a resilient side portion 7, and extending inwardly substantially beyond the center of thecap. Thus a pocket or space 8 is formed by the portions 4, 5 and 7 adapted to receive the typewriter key therebetween, the cap being slipped over the key from the front thereof, the slot 6 passing about the key bar to permit of the cap being seated centrally over the key. A downwardly extending resilientedge 9 formed on the under side of the part 4 overlaps the edge of the portion of the key -not engaged by the part 7, thus serving to bring the entire upper portion of the key under lateral pressure of the resilient elements, vertical pressure being exerted on the key also by the combined resiliency of the parts 4, 5 and 7, serving thus to hold the cushion cap securely on the key, but permitting the easy removal thereof.

v In the form of the cushion cap shown in Figs..3 and 4, a space l0 will be formed between the cushion 'part 4 and the depressed portion of the key 2. This space being filled with air will add to the cushion effect of part 4 when finger pressure is exerted thereon.

In the modified form of the cap Shown in Fig. 5, the depression 10 is occupied by a downward projection l1 of the cushion 4, an annular groove 12 being formed between the parts 7 and 11 adapted to receive the rim 3 of the typewriter key.

Eithery arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and found practicable, on account of its increased thickness the latter being slightly more firm than the former. I

The modified forms of cushion caps shown in Figs. 5 and 6, isin effect substantially the same as the'form shown in F igs. 1 to 4, although the construction of the several parts is quite different with respect to the means for'securingjthe cap to the typewriter key.

As here shown the modified cap 'consists of a cushion portion 13, having a peripheral groove 14, a downwardl projecting edge 15 anda depressed portion 16'formed respectively in the side and bottom thereof.

los

The edge 15 is adapted to be seated within the edgeV 3 `of the typewriter key, and the groove 14C` is adapted to be engaged by the loop portion 17 of a spring clip which serves to Secure the cushion to the key, the clip having downwardly and rearwardly projecting prongs 18 which engage the key bar on the opposite sides thereof and, by exerting pressure or spring tension on the key, serve to hold the cushion cap securely thereon. To prevent forward movement of this clip relative to the key, the free ends of the prongs 18 are bent upwardly to engage the key as shown at 19.

From the foregoing detailed description, the construction of my improved cushion cap in the several forms here shown and the means of' securing the same to the keysof writing machines will be readily understood. The principle .of 'the several forms is sub- Stantially the same, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

1. The combination with a typewriter key, of a cushion cap having a depression formed in the under side thereof adapted to be occupied by a portion of said key,'a horizontal resilient web under portion, slotted to -receive the key bar, and spaced from said cushion by a 'resilient intermediate portion to receive said key therebetween.

2. The combination with a typewriter key, of a resilient cushion cap having formed on thel under side thereof a downwardly-"projecting resilient edge and an intermediate resilient portion adapted to engage respectively the upper edge and side of said key, a horizontal resilient web under portion spaced from the cushion and slotted to receive the key-bar therebetween, and connected to the cushion by said intermediate resilient portion whereby the cushion cap may be detachably mounted on said key.

3. The combination with a typewriter key of a cushion cap adapted to telescope a portion of said key, and having a lower slotted portion adapted to extend on opposite sides of and embrace the key bar, being spaced from the cushion by an intermediate yielding connection to receive the key therebetween whereby the cushion cap may be detachably mounted on said key.

4. The combination with a typewriter key of a circular shaped resilient cushion cap adapted to engage with the upper portion of the key, a semi-circular resilient web portion extending substantially beyond the center of the key with a radial slot in the edge thereof to receive and vembrace the key-bar, said web portion 'being spaced from the cushion cap by a resilient intermediate portion adapted to receive the key therebetween.

The combination with a typewriter key, of a cushion cap adapted to bemounted substantially flush with the upper edge of said key, a resilient member extending from the inner base of the cushion cap and resting Hat against the face of the key, a resilient under element spaced from the cushion and adapted to embrace and receive the key bar.

6. The combination with a typewriter key, of a cushion pad adapted to engage with the upper portion of said key and to exert lateral pressure thereon, and having a. tension element adapted to extend over the sides and across the bottom of the key on opposite sides of the key bar and exerting upward pressure on the key whereby the cushion pad by the combined pressure of said parts is held on said key.

7. A cushion pad for a typewriter key consisting of a circular-shaped resilient cushion adapted to engage a portion of said key, a semifcircular-shaped resilient web secured to and spaced from said cushion substantially in the plane thereof, and having a radial slot formed in the edge. thereof to receive and embrace the key bar.

In testimony whereof,1aiix my si nature.

WILBER C. BLK AP i 

